Somalia is a country that has a long history of fighting against Al-Shabaab Islamists, an extremist group that seeks to impose a fundamentalist regime in the region. However, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud is determined to eliminate Al-Shabaab almost completely from the country within the next five months. According to him, it is possible to reduce them to a few isolated areas that do not pose major problems.
The president launched a military offensive against the Shebabs last September, with the support of Atmis (the African Union mission in Somalia) and clan militias. The first phase of this offensive made it possible to liberate several cities occupied by the Shebabs and to regain territory. However, the task of completely eliminating Shebabs across the country remains a daunting challenge.
According to Samira Gaid, an analyst specializing in security issues in the region, the president’s schedule to eliminate the Shebabs in five months is very tight. Current military offensives are mainly concentrated in central Somalia, which makes eliminating or weakening Al-Shabaab across the country unrealistic in this time frame.
The first phase of the offensive was however a success, allowing the Somali government to take control of this war and make it more legitimate in the eyes of the population. However, keeping towns liberated and defending conquered territories while launching new military operations will be a daunting challenge for the Somali government.
Despite the gradual withdrawal of troops from Atmis, the Shebabs continue to carry out bloody attacks in response to the military offensive. The road to the complete elimination of Shebabs is therefore strewn with pitfalls and the Somali president will need all the support necessary to achieve his goal.
In conclusion, the elimination of Al-Shabaab Islamists in Somalia represents a major challenge for the Somali President. Although the first phase of the offensive has brought positive results, completely eliminating Shebabs across the country in five months will be a difficult challenge. However, with the right support and a well thought out strategy, it is possible to reduce their influence and create a more stable future for Somalia